Government & Coalition should heed UN concerns on NT Intervention

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert says comments made today by the Pacific representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights increases pressure on the Government over it’s expansion of the NT Intervention via the Stronger Futures legislation.

“Matilda Bogner has rightly raised a number of concerns about the intervention in the Northern Territory,” Senator Siewert said today.

“The NT Intervention has been consistently condemned for it’s discriminatory approach and the lack of an evidence based and community driven approach.

“This condemnation continues to grow and Australia’s international reputation continues to be tarnished.

“The Government needs to take notice of the calls coming from communities in the NT and from national and international organisations who recognised that the interventionist approach serves only to marginalise people.

“The Coalition should also heed this international warning and end their continued support for the expansion of the Intervention.

“The Greens remain the only party in Federal Parliament taking a stand on this issue. The older parties are choosing to ignore important opinion and evidence rather than admit the Intervention has failed and consider a smarter, more effective approach.